Help LBC pick a new desktop!

[LongBeachCoupe]

I have limited skills as far as being able to piece one together myself and I have decided to buy one off the shelf, presumably at MicroCenter based upon cost.

I have a $550 price point.

The two units I have been looking at are:
Asus CM1855-US005S w/fx600: http://www.microcenter.com/product/4074 ... p_Computer

Powerspec B639 w/ i5 3470: http://www.microcenter.com/product/4091 ... p_Computer

The machine will really be used for basic online forums, and shopping, I also will be wiring it to my TV and I would like to be able to stream movies seamlessly with it. I do not play any games at all on it.

Penny for your thoughts on these two?
Is there something else I should be considering?

Many thanks in advance!

[darylzero]

I would stay away from any Powerspec, those are cheap POS.

When you say you will be wiring it to your tv, are you talking about running an HDMI cable from the computer to the TV?

Are you are going to be picking it up locally at Microcenter? If not then I would look at Newegg.com also.

[eds13]

www.tigerdirect.com. that's where the deals are. got my desktop there last summer and am loving every minute of it.

[LongBeachCoupe]

I will be running an HDMI cable to the TV...
There is a microcenter 2 miles from my house (this also means I need to pay 8% tax though)

[Jesda]

I <3 Microcenter

[darylzero]

I have limited skills as far as being able to piece one together myself and I have decided to buy one off the shelf, presumably at MicroCenter based upon cost.

I have a $550 price point.

The two units I have been looking at are:
Asus CM1855-US005S w/fx600: http://www.microcenter.com/product/4074 ... p_Computer

Powerspec B639 w/ i5 3470: http://www.microcenter.com/product/4091 ... p_Computer

The machine will really be used for basic online forums, and shopping, I also will be wiring it to my TV and I would like to be able to stream movies seamlessly with it. I do not play any games at all on it.

Penny for your thoughts on these two?
Is there something else I should be considering?

Many thanks in advance!

Looking at what they have in stock at the Orange Country store I think you found the best one for around $550 in the Asus.

If you are planning on buying the HDMI cable make sure you get it from Monoprice.com by far the cheapest. I have been using HDMI cables from there for years with no problems. I prefer the ones with the ferrite cores like this, http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2
HDMI cables are all digital they either work or they don't, don't believe the Monster Cable b*s***.